Creo design software also gets updates

The biggest announcement at Live Global in regards to software updates was the release of the new Creo — 3.0. This updated version of Creo, PTC’s flagship design software, sports myriad new tools and improvements — many designed to make the software more user friendly (and address the main concern that some engineers often express about the otherwise top-notch package).

Shown here, one of Creo's new features is a graphics function that lets users put shading, textures, and realistic material effects on design surfaces ... and visualize how a design's metal, glass, paint, and plastic parts affect overall look. There's support for HDR images, and users can paste designs into larger environment illustrations as well.

But back to the IoT theme ...

At the event, PTC also announced its move to join an Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) established to improve the integration between physical and digital worlds and "accelerate adoption of the Internet of Things." Other IIC members include IBM, Cisco, GE, and AT&T ... all working to develop a common blueprint that both machines and devices from all manufacturers can use to share and move data.

Configuration extensions in the updated PTC Elements/Direct

During Live Global, PTC also announced the new version of PTC Creo Elements/Direct —19.0 — software. This is direct-modeling software for modeling, drafting and data management that works with PTC Creo 3.0 as well as non-PTC CAD packages (via PTC’s Unite software).

The photo here shows one new Elements/Direct function — the configuration extensions. These now let designers copy and merge sub-level configurations to a higher-level assembly ...

... and to leverage transformations information when adding new components to a configuration.

Writing the software to drive IoT applications

The new ThingWorx v5.0 has what PTC calls "federated" server deployment so designers can use it via cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and on-device iterations. That lets designers build, deploy, and scale IoT applications to millions of devices across a globally distributed infrastructure.

Other features of ThingWorx v5.0:
• An AlwaysOn Protocol gives designers fast and secure bi-directional communications, but without hogging connections. In fact, the software here is actually patented. Various software development kits (SDKs) let developers create edge devices in their favorite programming environments such as Java, .NET, C, iOS and Android.
• A MatrixMultitenancy Security Model (as PTC bills it) lets managers control who gets access to what — so customers, dealer networks, and third parties can all work on designs, but sensitive data stays protected.

Shown in this photo: The ThingWorx platform lets developers craft software for systems to track temperature, light conditions, and ground moisture in a smart-agriculture application.

In an interesting connection, PTC also underscored the relationship of IoT — a new arena for the software company — to the service and support industry — an arena where PTC leads.

PTC Service Lifecycle Management (SLM) System is an integrated set of software that lets manufacturer-turned-service-provider with tools to plan, execute and optimize service jobs ... regardless of the products being maintained or where they are geographically.

The image here is a slide from an Ingersoll Rand presentation in which Joe Bergman, Vice President and General Manager, North America Compressed Air Systems and Services, explained how his company uses PTC SLM to tailor tools for its growing services business.

More sheetmetal functions in Creo 3.0

In the new Creo 3.0, designers can also make sheetmetal geometry using a new functionality that automatically applies bend relief, creates rips, bends coplanar geometry, and simplifies die-form and flat-pattern creation.

Merge sub-level configurations to a higher-level assembly

The updated PTC Creo Elements/Direct 19.0 software also lets engineers import SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor data — so now, teams can quickly incorporate all kinds of design information without having to use additional software. Upward compatibility with PTC Creo is also better.

Live Global is the annual event of design-software company PTC — to give engineers a chance to network and get training. (More specifically, PTC bills Live Global as a place for engineers to discover product capabilities; learn tips, tricks, and best practices from other Creo and Windchill users; and devise ways to address problems that slow down jobs.) Here we show you some of what we saw at the show — including presentations of the new version of Creo and another tool called ThingWorx.

The main theme of this year's event: How connected and "smart" machines and products are changing manufacturing. Here's the second day's keynote that emphasizes that trend: